Goldfrapp’s Tales Of Us adds a reflective tone to their intoxicatingly vital sound

Goldfrapp’s latest album is more reflective than its predecessors (Picture: supplied)

Goldfrapp: Tales Of Us (Mute)Each time Goldfrapp release an album, it offers a bold contrast to its predecessor – flowing from cinematic samples to electro-glam or folk. It never feels like a simple makeover but something more intriguing, alternating shades of their material. Sixth album Tales Of Us, following the flighty synth pop of 2010’s Head First, is rootsier and more reflective. The new music also suggests a foray into even artier territory; it’s accompanied by a visual mobile phone ‘GoldfrApp’ and Alison Goldfrapp also curates an exhibition at Salford’s The Lowry gallery next month. While Will Gregory remains an enigmatic force, his evocative instrumentation perfectly complements Goldfrapp’s haunting storytelling, right from opener Jo, when she murmurs: ‘You’d better run for your life.’ Every track is a mini ‘chapter’, depicting faithless loved ones (Simone), languorous romance (Drew) or latent identities (Annabel). It’s classic Goldfrapp – cool to the touch, yet intoxicatingly vital.